There is no relief in sight for thousands of patients admitted to the Rohtak PGIMS as neither the government nor the doctors are not ready to budge.

There is no relief in sight for thousands of patients admitted to the Rohtak PGIMS as neither the government nor the doctors are not ready to budge.

Due to the “lackadaisical” attitude of the PGIMS management, the strike by hundreds of the postgraduate doctors, interns and resident doctors entered the third day on Sunday paralysing the medical services. The protesting doctors have installed temporary tents making their intentions clear that the strike may last for a few more days.

Though the PGIMS authorities have issued notice to the agitating doctors warning them of action if they fail to return on work, the agitating doctors did not take the notice seriously and made it clear that the agitation will continue until the government withdraws the first information report (FIR) filed against the staff members.

The protesting doctors assembled at Vijay Park on the PGIMS campus and raised anti-government slogans. The doctors also slammed the media for the alleged biased reporting.

The FIR was lodged against the staff after parents of Neelam, who and her newborn died at the PGIMS on Monday due to the alleged negligence of the hospital employees.

While the protesting doctors said the FIR couldn’t be registered against the staff members without the medical board recommendations, a senior doctor associated with the Indian Medical Association said the medical board’s recommendations were mandatory for medical negligence and the family has accused them of assault.

However, senior doctors did not join the agitation and were seen on duty. Talking to Hindustan Times, pro-vicechancellor of the PGIMS Dr VK Jain said: “We have issued notice to the protesting doctors to join duty or face action.” He said talks were on and a meeting would be held with the protesting doctors.

VIJ MEETS FAMILY

Even as the protesting doctors are not taking the directions of health minister Anil Vij seriously, the latter on Sunday reached Kharak Ramji village of the Jind district and assured support to the family of Neelam.

During the meeting, Neelam’s husband Sunil told the health minister that she was not suffering from any disease and her delivery was normal. She fell from the bed along with her newborn due to the negligence of doctors and staff members and both died, he said.

Sunil also told the health minister that doctors did not conduct the post-mortem and it was their duty to tell the reason behind the death. Vij said he would provide justice to the family and strict action would be taken against the accused staff members. “Doctors’ duty is to save lives and they should do their work with dedication,” he added.

Rs 1 LAKH ANNOUNCED FOR FAMILY

Earlier, the health minister also appealed to the protesting doctors to call of their stir. The health minister also announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to Neelam’s family.

NEELAM’S HUSBAND SEEKS JUSTICE

“The health minister’s visit has brought a ray of hope to us and we are sure that he will help us to get justice,” Neelam’s husband Sunil told Hindustan Times.

“I don’t want anything, but action against the erring hospital staff,” said Sunil, who married Neelam a year-and-half ago.